The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, brought to you by Eden Mill St Andrews

I've known Bill Healey for many years, and if he recommends a product or service to me, I take note. A few weeks ago he mentioned he was working with Bob Silzer and Vantage Tag Systems. I was eager to learn more, and found a wealth of information on their website. We take GPS for granted, but I wanted to pick Bob's brain about his time in the industry. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play presented by MemberText you will learn more about Bob's history in the business, how GPS technology is helping with pace of play, exactly what a tag is and how clubs are using them, their work in agriculture and more on their RAPTOR rental program. Bob also talks about fleet management and their ability to track low speed automobiles. This was a fun and informative episode and I enjoyed having Bob on the show. Let's tee off.

When I lived in Naples, I got the chance to network with Robert Bettinardi. Over the years he has built a household name in Bettinardi Golf, and is producing some of the finest putters on the market. To learn more about this illustrious brand, I invited his son Sam to come on the show. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about their putters, their fitting process and what their plans are for the PGA Merchandise Show. Sam also talks about their brand ambassadors, their pricing model and tells the story of the Widow Maker, a custom putter they made for a dear friend of mine living in SW Florida. Sam also talks about the LPGA and PGA TOUR players using their putters.

On this special edition of show I am joined by Mike Hendrix, Vice President, GolfNow Business Services. Mike first appeared on this podcast on March 27, 2019. Today he is back with some exciting breaking news to share with us. I am honored to have Mike with us to discuss Clubhouse Solutions, a business unit at NBC Sports dedicated to member retention and acquisition for private golf and country clubs. Mike talks about this solution, more on the EZLinks Golf acquisition, the Clubhouse Bulletin, ClubBuy and the team making Clubhouse Solutions possible.

We love to travel, and when we do, I always like to play golf. I've had the chance to play courses like Royal Portrush in Northern Ireland, the Old Course at St Andrews in Scotland and The Mid Ocean Club in Bermuda. But booking a golf trip takes more than just showing up. You need to know what airline to fly, where to stay, where to play and where to wine and dine. That's where Forecaddie comes in. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Tom talks about Forecaddie, a website he built to help golfers book golf trips to popular destinations in Canada, Ireland, Scotland and the United States. Tom uses his free time to do all the research for you, is providing relevant content on a blog and looking to add even more destinations in 2020. Tom is passionate about this stuff and is working hard to help us at home plan the perfect golf getaways. He also drinks craft beer and shares his thoughts on the Himalayas Putting Course at St Andrews. This was a really fun episode and I enjoyed having Tom on the show. Let's tee off.

A few weeks ago I found L.A.B. Golf on Twitter. I didn't know much about them, but after visiting their website and reading more on these putters, I just had to have them on the show! I reached out and connected with Sam Hahn. After this episode, I think Sam and I became best friends! On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about where L.A.B. Golf started, their new website and mailing list, more on the Press Grip, their logo and Sam's bar. Yep. Same owns a bar! He also talks about their fitting process and their return policy.

Le Ann Finger is the Senior Director of Tournaments and Championships at the Arizona Golf Association. She is also a PGA Master Professional and is the president of Women in the Golf Industry. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about the AGA, the benefits offered to members, her journey to becoming a PGA Master Professional, her thoughts on Topgolf and her relationship with Suzy Whaley, the first female President of the PGA of America. We also talk about her favorite golf courses AND her favorite restaurants in Scottsdale/Phoenix. This was a really fun episode and I enjoyed having Le Ann on the show. Let's tee off.

Needless to say, Ryan Dailey is focused on growing the game of golf. On January 9, 2015, I interviewed Ryan and his business partner Matt Reagan on my YouTube show the Friday Foursome. At the time, they were promoting iGrow Golf. Ryan is still focused on growing the game and is putting all of his heart and soul into Operation 36 Golf. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast Ryan talks about the project, the team that is making it all possible, their plans for the PGA Merchandise Show in January and a goal of introducing the game of golf to 1 million people by 2025. He also talks about their new Junior Golf Development model. This was a really fun episode and I enjoyed having Ryan on the show. Let's tee off.

Sean Fairholm writes for Global Golf Post, a publication delivering golf news, information and insightful commentary to serious golfers worldwide. There are a lot of golf publications out there, but Global Golf Post is one of the best and is one of my favorite places to digest content. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about Sean's content, his travel schedule, his writing process and his time at NC State University. He also talks about Global Golf Post + and if he thinks Topgolf is helping grow the game. He doesn't have one yet, but I hope to get Sean blogging in 2020! Does he think Tiger will break Jack's record? You'll find out! This was a really fun episode and I enjoyed having Sean on the show. Let's tee off.

The Spirit International features the world's best amateur men and women golfers as they represent their respective country in team and individual competitions. Led by Patricia Meunier-Lebouc, Team France won the event in 2019. Patricia is more than a coach… She is a former LPGA Tour and Ladies European Tour player, a major champion and coaches with Martin Hall at Ibis Golf & Country Club. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about her illustrious playing career, her thoughts on Whispering Pines Golf Club. her time spent with Corby Robertson, how she helped her team prepare for The Spirit International and what this victory means to her. Does she think Tiger will break Jack's record? You'll find out! This was a fun episode and I enjoyed having Patricia on the show. Let's tee off.

Ralph Dunning started Dunning Golf in Hawaii and has turned this apparel company into a household name. They are a small company but have PGA TOUR players like Jason Dufner and Kevin Kisner wearing the product. Remember when Mike Weir won The Masters? He was wearing Dunning! The company also has a great relationship with Troon and Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples, a place near and dear to me. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play you will meet Chris Frame, brand manager, and learn more about the company, their social media strategy, their connection to Maui Jim and their plans for the 2020 PGA Merchandise Show. Chris also talks about their new alignment stick and the branding possibilities with such a simple product. This was a fun episode and I enjoyed learning more about this brand. Let's jump into it. Or, as my good friend Chuck likes to say, let's tee off.

There are a lot of great golf movies out there, but what caddies? These men and women work hard and we know very little about them. Until now. "Loopers: The Caddie's Long Walk," presented by Gravitas Ventures, narrated by Bill Murray, explores the bond between golfer and caddie, one of the world's oldest professions. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about the production and distribution of this film from Michael Murphy, president, Gravitas Ventures. He talks about the courses they visited, what makes a good caddie, how and where this film has been distributed and what sort of projects they are working on next. Did you know Michael was a caddie at the club he is now a member? This was a fun episode and I enjoyed learning more about life as a caddie.

Nathan Crace, ASGCA, is a golf course architect, an author and avid Twitter user. He hosts a podcast called The Lipouts Podcast. Oh, I almost forgot… He's a Hoosier. Needless to say, we had a lot of things to talk about. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about life as a golf course architect, what the ASGCA is all about, Nathan's connection to the Bing Crosby Pro-Am at Pebble Beach, his thoughts on short courses, climate change and if he thinks Tiger is going to break Jack's record. He also explains the time to impact index and ideas on how he is going to fix slow play. This was a long episode, but I really enjoyed the discussion.

Matthew Lombardo is a Titleist Product Specialist for Northern California. He is also an avid golfer, amateur photographer and all around nice guy! Titleist is one of the most popular brands in golf, and I typically play the Pro V1X. Once upon a time I hit the 975J driver… Still have that club in my garage! On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about this illustrious brand, what a day in the life of a Product Specialist looks like, his time in Monterrey and what it was like meeting Gary Vee. Talk about a guy full of energy! Matthew also talks about TPI and Tiger's chances are breaking Jack's record. This was a fun episode and I really enjoyed having Matthew on the show.

Bobby Trunzo works for Golf Genius Software. Golf Genius powers tournament management at thousands of private clubs, public courses, resorts, and golf associations all over the world. Bobby has worked at some of the most prestigious courses in the country and brings that experience to his role at Golf Genius. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about the software, the live scoring component, Bobby's crazy travel schedule and more. Bobby also talks about the cost of this cutting edge technology. This was a fun episode and I enjoyed having Bobby on the show and learning more about his career. Does he think Tiger will break Jack's record? You'll find out. Let's jump into it.

If you follow Kraken Golf on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram, you know they are creating some custom products including putters, ball markers and divot repair tools. The brand is edgy and the more I learned about this company, the more I fell in love. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, you will learn more about Marc Cordeira, the hard work that goes into creating custom products like this, the metals he's using, if these products are legal to use on the golf course, what happens if he makes a mistake and what sort of content he is emailing his customers. Needless to say Marc is dialed in, and I can't wait to see what products he releases next. Think we will ever see a partnership with Kraken Rum? This was a fun episode and I enjoyed having Marc on the show. Let's jump into it.

I've not been to Bandon Dunes yet, so I'm not sure what the experience is like, but several of my friends have, and it sounds like a special place. Based on what I'm seeing online, you can expect ocean views, blustery conditions, and an unforgettable golf experience. You can also expect to play golf with a caddie, which is something I enjoy. Caddies at Bandon aren't required, but the first time you're there, or any course where caddies are available, I'd recommend taking one. Jerry Luoto is one of the caddies there and we recently connected on Twitter. He shares a lot of great content, likes to drink beer, and has a great personality. When I asked him to come on the podcast, he jumped at the opportunity. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about what the typical day for a caddie looks like, his favorite course to loop, and to play, at Bandon, what sort of weather conditions you can expect when you visit and where he first learned to hit a golf ball off a beer can! This was a fun episode and I enjoyed having Jerry on the show. Let's jump into it.

Rob Thomas, no, not that Rob Thomas, and I have been connected online for years. I've always enjoyed his content and recently he started working for Club + Resort Business. Their content is, as you can imagine, focused on the club and resort business. Now they have a podcast that I can't stop listening to. Did I mention that Rob is also a golf blogger? Needless to say, we had a lot of things to talk about. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about Rob, his passion for the game of golf, his unboxing videos, his time as a golf course rater, his time at Valley of the Eagles and more. Does he think Tiger will break Jack's record? You'll find out. This was a fun episode and I really enjoyed having Rob on the show.

I've been listening to Private Club Radio for years. The podcast is focused on the private club industry and host Gabe Aluisy does a great job interviewing the best of the best. Considering I work, and want to spend the majority of my career in this world, this content is always relevant. When we lived in Naples, Florida, finally got the chance to meet Gabe and we became quick friends. Gabe also owns the Private Club Agency and has written several books. Needless to say, this guy never slows down! On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about Gabe's new project Let's Play Thru, a YouTube show following Gabe and his golf business as they explore the best golf destinations around the world. We also talk about the cameras he is using, his IndieGoGo campaign, his upcoming trip to the Middle East and more. It doesn't matter what Gabe does, he turns whatever he touches into gold, and Let's Play Thru is no different. This was a fun episode and I really enjoyed having Gabe on the show.

Leighton Walker, along with Eddie Bullock, hosts Golf Club Talk UK a podcast focused on all things golf in the United Kingdom. They feature a wide range of guests and the conversation is always relevant. Originally from Australia, Leighton has honed his craft working in the golf business and has a passion for wine. Leighton also knows Gabe Aluisy, host of Private Club Radio. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about the podcast, his thoughts on the future of golf, what sort of golf courses he likes to play, his affiliation with the CMAE and more.

Justin Baer works for MemberText, a text message marketing solution for the private club industry. The data that Justin has on open rates for text messages is impressive. It doesn't matter what you are trying to communicate… An upcoming event, a frost delay… Imagine the power going out at your club. A text message is an easy way to communicate that message. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about MemberText and how clubs are using this powerful solution. Justin talks about their pricing, their relationship with the CMAA, what sort of analytics they can provide and the training they provide. Justin also shares his favorite 19th hole a drink that reminds him of his grandfather.

Stephen Proctor is a historian and author of "Monarch of the Green: Young Tom Morris Pioneer of Modern Golf." He is also very well spoken and true steward of the game. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, you will learn more about his book, the research that went into making this publication possible, more about his time spent in the Home of Golf, and several stories about the research that went into this project. Is Stephen ever going to write another book? You'll find out! I first connected with Stephan on Twitter, and was glad to have him on the show to share his story.

Derek Deminsky is on a mission to help his students play better golf. Based in Tucson, Arizona, Derek is the Director of Instruction at the Forty Niner Country Club. In his free time he plays competitive golf and runs Golf Better Tucson, a program offering hundreds of videos, tips for all areas of your game, articles and more. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about Derek and his passion for the game of golf, his social media strategy, more on how he decides what to charge, his plans for expansion and more about his game on the course. Derek has created something special and it was learning more about all he's doing. Let's jump into it.

The golf ball market is a competitive place. Some golfers play Titleist while others prefer TaylorMade or Callaway. After having Dean Snell on the show, I've been playing the Snell Golf ball. Don't forget about VICE Golf balls and Mizuno has a new ball out, too. You can't forget about the guys over at OnCore Golf. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will meet Steve Coulton, co-founder of OnCore Golf. They use a direct to consumer model and are selling more than just golf balls. They have hats, golf towels and golf bags, too. The golf ball has been getting a lot of press lately, and for good reason. On this episode Steve talks about the ball, the technology they are using, their business model, their thoughts on golf ball fitting and what's next for this small company. The golf ball has been featured on the Golf Digest Hot List, so you know it's the real deal. This was a fun episode and I enjoyed having Steve on the show. Let's jump into it.

On the last episode of this show we talked about coffee and on this episode, beef jerky. Stay with me here… Jeff King is a Tour caddie and over the years has been making beef jerky to keep his players full while on the golf course. Word got around and he started selling the stuff. Now you'll find it in the hands of LPGA and PGA TOUR players week after week. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, you will learn more about his time on Tour, how he got started making jerky, his favorite flavor, caddie meetings in hotel parking lots and Jeff's big PGA TOUR announcement. Do you think Tiger has tried this stuff? You'll find out! I never knew I'd have this much fun talking about beef jerky!

I'm not sure I'd make it through the day without coffee. Needless to say, when I first heard about Tour Player Coffee, I just had to learn more. There is more to this coffee than golf, and on this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, Brent Dietzman will tell you more about the stuff, why he and his brother started a coffee company, and what their plans are for growth. They've only been around for a few months, but I was impressed with their story. Brent even sent me some coffee to try and it is delicious. Oh, I almost forgot. They sell a sweet coffee mug, too! This was a fun episode and I enjoyed having Brent on the show.

Pete Popovich is a PGA Professional located in Bluffton, SC. He is the brains behind The Golf Paradigm, a philosophy designed around one thing: improving your game. This improvement is accomplished by utilizing the five elements of golf. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, we learn more about these five elements, what it's like living and working in Hilton Head and his time working with a retired art director. We also learn more about Golf 360, Pete's new podcast. As you can tell, Pete isn't your typical PGA professional. This was a fun episode and I really enjoyed having Pete on the show. Let's jump into it.

Nick Starchuk lives in Toronto and spends the majority of his time at TPC Toronto, the first TPC club in Canada. He is focused on helping his students get better and you can hear his passion just listening to him talk. Nick has an impressive resume and was named the 2013 PGA of Ontario Teacher of the Year. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, you will learn more about his time at Glen Abbey Golf Club, his relationship with TaylorMade, his recent golf trip to Ireland and more about his Thought Bubble. Nick also talks about all the technology he is using on the range.

I've been playing the Titleist Pro V1 for as long as I can remember. I've also tried the Callaway Chrome Soft and the TaylorMade TP5. A few months ago I got the chance to hit the Snell Golf ball, and loved it. They have been making a lot of noise lately, were on the Golf Digest Hot List in 2018 and 2019. To learn more, I reached out and invited Dean Snell to come on the show. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, you will learn more about Dean, his time working with Titleist and TaylorMade, his career as a professional hockey player, the technology that goes into the golf ball, their direct to consumer business model and more. The golf ball is great and I really enjoyed having Dean on the show. Let's jump into it.

Dustin Irwin has quite the resume. After graduating from Ferris State University, he went to work for The Ritz-Carlton Golf Club & Spa, Jupiter. Since he's been in Orlando, Georgia, Arizona, Hawaii, California, back to Florida and has finally settled in Carlsbad as the Club Director at Omni La Costa Resort & Spa. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about his role at Omni La Costa, what it was like working in Hawaii, more about his travel schedule, the amenities at La Costa, membership opportunities and more. We also talk about some of his staff members, a couple of which are members of the prestigious top button club. It was great catching up with Dustin and I know you're going to love this conversation. Let's jump into it.

Originally from New Zealand, Tania Tare is a professional golfer. She is also a trick short artist filming some of the most wicked trick shots I've seen. She likes to practice and spent some time at FIU working with Coach Joe Vogel. She currently lives in Scottsdale, Arizona and spends a lot of time at Troon North Golf Club. She even shot a trick shot video on the gamed 16th hole during the Waste Management Phoenix Open a couple of years ago. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast we talk about her trick shots, who is recording those videos, her relationship with OnCore Golf, her upcoming travel plans and her relationship with KC Public Relations. We also find out if she thinks Tiger will break Jack's record. Her answer might surprise you. This was a fun episode and I hope you enjoy the show. Let's jump into it.

Jason Hiland runs Sub 70 Golf, a golf club manufacturer providing the highest quality clubs at the lowest possible price. They sell a driver, woods, irons, putters… Golf gloves and bags, too. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about the history of the brand, their relationship with a European clothing company, where the clubs are made, who is playing their clubs, their pricing model and how this small niche brand is competing with bigger brands like Titleist and TaylorMade. Sub 70 also has a podcast you gotta check out. This was a really fun episode and I really enjoyed the conversation.

Hailie Sandor works for the USGA. Last week I headed down to Pebble Beach for the US Open and spent some time with her walking around the course. Figured it was time to get her on the show to talk about her role with this prestigious organization. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast Hailie talks about all the USGA is responsible for, her experience spending time with Gary Woodland after his first major championship, the new USGA app and a new collaboration with Marvel. This was a really fun conversation and I enjoyed having Hailie on the show. Let's jump into it.

I love looking at golf course photography. Sure, I can snap a photo on my iPhone, but it's not the same. That's how Bill Hornstein and I met. He shoots golf courses, but he doesn't stop there. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about Hornstein Creative, his time at Burning Man, more about the Scorched series and his connection to Buffalo Wild Wings. Bill also explains the Brewmaster Golf Tournament and talks about the future of drone photography. We've all heard A picture is worth a thousand words. To Bill, a picture is worth a thousand tee times.

My eyes burn easily, so I tend to wear sunglasses when I play golf. There are a lot of options out there, but I choose Solar Bat. These glasses are made in Brazil, Indiana by Gary Nesty, a practicing optometrist that got started with making sunglasses for fishing. Over the years he's added other sports like tennis and golf, and is looking to add kayaking next. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about the company, the technology he is using, their Pro Staff and more about more about polarization and their relationship with brands like Chevrolet and Corvette. This was an informative episode and I encourage you to reach out if you'd like to try these state of the art glasses. Let's jump into it.

I've been following Rick for a long time, and have been paying close attention to Movement 3 Golf. Rick is focused on kinetics and thinks he might be able to fix my wayward drives. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about Rick's laundry list of certifications, his time with Brian Manzella, some of his favorite courses in Scottsdale/Phoenix and his passion for the Chicago Cubs. He even explains the GEARS Evaluation and introduces me to a beer that is only available in the Windy City. This was a fun episode and I really enjoyed learning more about Rick. Let's jump into it.

Sam is always up to something. A few weeks ago I saw him on Kickstarter promoting MNML GOLF, a new company selling lightweight golf bags. The bags are also loaded with state of the art technology and use magnets instead of zippers. The bag is also competitively priced and will make a big impact when it comes to market. Bet you see them winning some awards next year at the PGA Merchandise Show. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about the bag, where the idea came from, their success with Kickstarter and if he plans to release anything else sporting the MNML logo. This was a fun episode and I always enjoy seeing what Sam is working on. Let's jump into it.

A few weeks ago Barry Friedman said, "You need to get my colleague Chad on your show." I didn't know who Chad was at the time, but quickly learned that he had worked with Barry at Pebble Beach, spent time at Forest Dunes in Michigan and is now selling shirts for his new company Sideways 9. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play you will learn more about his time in Monterey, his interactions with Tiger Woods, his thoughts on The Loop at Forest Dunes and the future of Sideways 9. He also talks about why he always wears black. This was a fun conversation and it was great having Chad on the show.

Zack hosts From The Back Tees podcast, and while he doesn't play from the back tees, the content is incredible. The show is based in Quebec, Canada and each week there is a weekly preview, power rankings and a section called All About Tiger. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play we talk more about the show, learn more about Jerry, Nolan and the rest of the team, and discuss how they differentiate themselves from all of the other golf podcasts currently available. Zack might not play from the tips, but he's onto something here.

Pete teaches at Walloon Lake Country Club, a private club in Northern Michigan. Pete is third generation at this club and has a lot to say about growing the game of golf. He spends a lot of time analyzing golf swings, coaching boys and girls teams and won the state championship in 2017 and 2018 with the Harbor Springs girls golf team. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about Pete's teaching philosophy, his connection to womensgolf.com, his experience playing The Old Course and his relationship with Tom Watson. This was a great conversation and I really enjoyed having Pete on the show. Let's jump into it.

Jose was on this podcast last year promoting TheGrint, a handicap app that tracks scores, fairways, greens and more. Now he's back with a new app that lets users buy and sell golf equipment online. The app is called Gimme Golf and has only been out for a few weeks. The app is invitation only, but is already impressing users worldwide. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about the app, how to access the app, and what the experience is like. It was great having Jose back on the show. Let's jump into it.

When Ed and I connected on Twitter I knew we were going to be friends. He writes for Golficity, has a podcast called Duff to Darts, knows Kris McEwen and is a big Tiger fan. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast we talk about his content, the Golficity newsletter, his creative process, his thoughts on the new Rules of Golf and his impressive drive to work each day. This was a really fun episode and I think you will enjoy it. Let's jump into it.

I first connected with Orlando on Instagram. His content is incredible. It's funny, it's positive, and he has a background with The DkF Boys. He's moved on a little bit from that, but on this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, you'll learn more The DkF Boys, his relationship with Cut Golf and how he knows Coach Rusty. I was actually supposed to meet this guy in Bermuda a couple of years ago, but glad we were able to connect here. We also talk about The Walking Dead. I really enjoyed this conversation and I think you will, too.

When it comes to golf shirts, there are a lot of options out there. Most designs are simple, some pushing the edge of what we're used to. Then comes Waggle Golf, a new company offering shirt designs that most would consider "out there" and cutting edge. On this episode of the podcast Travis Baker gives us an overview of the company, talks about what we can expect next from Waggle Golf and shares some insight on the shirt names. This was a fun episode an I really enjoyed our conversation.

If you play golf, then you know what GolfNow is. If you work in the golf business, then you know who Mike Hendrix is. Mike is the Vice President of GolfNow Business Services and is working to improve client businesses through introductions of golfers, technology, services and cost-cutting solutions. When Mike started with GolfNow he was a Regional Director before being promoted to Senior Regional Director. We first met when Mike was the Senior Director for GolfNow PLUS. We stay in touch on social media and I was excited to get Mike on the show to talk about GolfNow. Oh, and Mike is originally from the Midwest, so we have plenty to talk about there, too.

I had the pleasure of working with Jim Simpson for 8 months at Tiburón Golf Club at The Ritz-Carlton Golf Resort, Naples. Jim and I became quick friends and I always enjoyed seeing his smiling face around the club. Every time I saw Jim he would shake my hand and he truly goes out of his way to ensure members and guests have an unforgettable experience day in and day out. He has a lot of experience in club management and brings his passion for overall member and guest satisfaction to everything he does. This episode is a long time coming and I am honored to welcome Jim to the show.

I'm not sure where I found Amanda Rose, but glad I did. She is hilarious, has a great sense of humor, and really does her due diligence. She hosts the "Out of Bounds" video series where she tackles hot topics in the game of golf. Her videos are short, to the point and thoroughly enjoyable to watch. She also spent some time at Golf Channel and is a really good golfer! On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast Amanda tells us more about Out of Bounds, introduces us to her dog Coco, discusses wearing shorts on the PGA TOUR and the possibility of a bilingual version of the show. Amanda is a lot of fun, has a ton of energy, and I really enjoyed this conversation.

I remember meeting Tommy in the Troon corporate office nearly 6 years ago. Not long after we met he started working at The Westin Kierland Resort & Spa. A few months ago he moved to Florida and starting working for Nicklaus Design. Tommy and I stay in touch and text all the time. I am so proud of him and what he's accomplished thus far. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast you will learn more about his role at Nicklaus Design, Jack's involvement in the company, his experience at the PGA Merchandise Show earlier this year, and more about their design process. It was great catching up with Tommy and I know the future is bright with this kid. Oh, and Tommy's brother is a competitive golfer.

Jeff and his wife Stacie are two of the most sought after teaching professionals in the country. Together they formed the Fisher Bryan Golf Academy located at Longbow Golf Club, a Troon managed facility in Mesa, Arizona. They have a passion for growing the game Jeff has worked with guys like Hank Haney and Jim McClean honing his craft. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play you will learn about the Academy and all they offer their students. You will also hear what other golf courses Jeff likes to play and learn more about the packages they offer their students. Jeff is also good friends with Kevin Sprecher, a recent guest on the show. This conversation was a long time coming, and I was honored to have Jeff join us on the show.

Derek Duncan is a golf writer and host of Feed. The. Ball. Podcast. The podcast is a discussion on golf and design. Some of his recent guests include Peter Kessler, the Voice of Golf, Thad Layton, Tom Mackenzie and Jay Blasi. Derek also appreciates a good bottle of wine and has a history in the wine business. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, Derek talks about his podcast, an old Honda Civic, his experience with a bottle of Knob Creek Single Barrel and shares his thoughts on The Loop and if he thinks reversible courses will be popular in the future of golf course design. This was a fun episode and I love Derek's passion. Let's jump into it.

I've known Kevin Sprecher for quite some time. There is no question he is passionate about he does and is dedicated to growing the game of golf. That is apparent in the laundry list of certifications he has including SAM PuttLab and AimPoint Express. On this episode of The Wednesday Match Play Podcast, Kevin talks about his position at Sleepy Hollow Country Club, their Golf Digest Top 100 ranking and his time with Jim McLean. I also ask Kevin what his favorite golf movie is. Bill Murray is a member at Sleepy Hollow. Care to guess what movie he picked? Kevin has become a good friend of mine over the years, and it was an honor to have him on the show.